Illinois Retail Merchants Association

One in five consumers who purchase frozen food items usually buy a store-brand product, according to the American Frozen Food Institute and FMI- The Food Industry Association. Get more insight into their data and how retailers can use store brands to capture additional sales via Progressive Grocer:

On behalf of our Mission Partner DCap Claims, we're reminding IRMA members the deadline to file claims in the $5.54 billion Visa/MasterCard settlement has been extended to August 30. If your business accepted payment from Visa and/or MasterCard-branded cards between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019, you may be eligible to recover funds from overcharged swipe fees, but action must be taken before the August 30 deadline. Visit IRMA’s website at www.irma.org and click on the "Partners" tab to contact DCap Claims Regional Director Megan Kuzma and unlock the exclusive IRMA member rate. Take action now to ensure your claim is processed before it’s too late!

Parents are gearing up to spend nearly 22% more on back-to-school shopping this year, according to a new JLL survey. Retail Dive takes a look at when and where consumers plan to do their back-to-school shopping:

In this week’s Straight from the Source, IRMA President & CEO Rob Karr shares an opportunity on behalf of our Mission Partner Bamboo Health for pharmacists and prescribers to better integrate workflows and improve patient care outcomes.   Visit IRMA’s website at https://lnkd.in/g3vxWrm4 to contact Bamboo Health and learn more about its PMP Gateway solution, which integrates multi-state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) intelligence into existing clinical workflows to improve access and save time for care team members.

A new report from PYMNTS reveals one in five consumers made a retail purchase in the last month based on something they read, such as an article about a product. Read more about what influences consumers' purchases below:

Brian Klueter has been a familiar face at Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli in Troy since 1996, when he started working for his uncle as a teen. Today, he's carrying on his uncle’s legacy and commitment to quality as the owner of this family-run business. This week, we’re proud to feature Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli in IRMA’s “We Are Retail” campaign showcasing the retailers who make Illinois work. At Kelly's Butcher Shop, which Brian’s great grandfather founded in 1948, tradition meets quality in every cut. “My uncle [Mike Klueter] definitely wanted to make sure that people got good stuff,” Brian said. “He kind of drilled it into me. You can try and pass along something that isn’t great, but the people aren’t going to come back.” Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli is more than a place to purchase steak; it’s a full-service butcher shop offering hot foods, produce, seasonings and more. Watch Brian’s story and discover his “secret sauce” for success as a retailer at https://ow.ly/hIJB50SylEw. Explore more stories in our “We Are Retail” campaign and nominate your favorite retailer to be featured in the future at WeareIllinoisRetail.com. #IRMAWeAreRetail

From tinned fish and charcuterie boards to honey and snacks specifically crafted to complement certain drinks, RetailWire takes a look at the latest food and beverage trends that emerged at Specialty Food Association's recent Summer Fancy Foods Show in New York:

Join us and IRMA Mission Partner Viti Companies on July 18 for a webinar exploring the benefits of long-term care insurance. Presented by Ester Viti, Vice President of Guy Viti Insurance & Viti Financial | The Viti Companies, the webinar will provide attendees a better understanding of the costs and benefits associated with long-term care, insurance options to fit your budget, and information on how to start planning for the future. Register here: https://ow.ly/A35m50Sxm2G.

According to a new survey from Vontier, nearly 80% of Americans are willing to drive out of their way to visit their preferred convenience store, even if it means passing other options. Chain Store Age breaks down the data below:

While shoppers are scaling back in categories like electronics and apparel, they’re continuing to buy luxury goods like fragrances and lipsticks, a new report from Adobe Analytics found. Get more insight into the growth of the cosmetics space via Retail Dive: